4 Feb, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
Cold weather causing skin flare-ups? These beauty editor-approved swaps soothe inflammation fast
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Winter can wreak havoc on your skin, and plummeting temperatures can leave your face feeling dry, inflamed and sensitive, with increased redness, cracked lips, tight, itchy or flaky skin.
The cold air holds less moisture, which is only exacerbated when we turn on the heating at home, and our skin ultimately suffers as a result.
Worse still, going from extremely cold environments like your commute from the office into warm spaces like your bedroom can only make things worse and often leads to flushing and redness.
Some forms of rosacea are particularly affected by temperature change, but eczema flare-ups are also very common this time of year.
With that in mind, there are a few tweaks you can make to your skincare routine. Without spending a fortune, there’s a handful of skin barrier repairing balms, moisturisers, lip treatments and targeted serums that can provide some much-needed TLC for your face and body.
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All are available on the high street and have been tried and tested by Metro’s shopping contributor and beauty expert Louise Whitbread, so rest assured you’re in safe hands.
Cold-weather skincare swaps to make this winter
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm 100ml
If I’m struggling to get a hold on inflammation in the form of redness, breakouts and textured cheeks, this is my holy grail product for repairing skin.
This multi-purpose thick balm is designed to treat irritation and can be used as often as needed on your face and body, including post-beauty treatments like chemical peels or to heal areas of dryness.
When my rosacea can’t be calmed during the winter months, this is the only thing I reach for to use as an overnight moisturiser to calm down redness. I also like to apply a thick layer of a mask treatment on occasion when my skin feels more sensitive than usual, thanks to the cold weather. I’m currently on my seventh tube, it’s that good.
Aestura Atobarrier365 Cream 80ml
If you have combination skin like me and find rich balms and creams too heavy, this brilliant Korean moisturiser is a go-to.
Packed with ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier, it’s soothing without leaving a greasy shine – it's perfect for your evening skincare routine.
A little goes a long way, but it’s fast-absorbing, leaves skin feeling instantly softer and reduces redness across my nose and cheeks.
Vieve Bounce Balm 10ml
A good lip balm is a no-brainer when temperatures dip, and this rich, glossy, vanilla-scented formula from Vieve is a cut above.
Having taken it away on skiing holidays where the weather got as low as -15 degrees, it doesn’t freeze up, become grainy and keeps that horrible sensation of dry, cracked skin at bay.
It has a high-shine finish without any stickiness and a plastic applicator that requires a hands-free application, so you never have to get your hands messy either.
CCS Cracked Heel Repair Cream 75ml
It’s not a glamorous addition, but an essential if your feet are feeling sore, tired and extremely dry.
The formula of this rich cream is a mix of lactic acid and urea, to exfoliate, slough away dead skin cells, and soften coarse skin. It takes just four days for me to see results, and I keep it by my bedside so I won’t forget to apply.
Naturium Urea 5% Body Serum 414ml
If your elbows, knees and shins are bearing the brunt of cold weather, this supersize body serum rich in urea is a speedy way to ensure smooth skin.
It has a milky texture that doesn’t take ages to rub in but has the hydrating benefits of a thicker cream. It’s a huge 414ml bottle too, which has lasted me three months already, and I’m only halfway through.
For me, it works like a charm to prevent my eczema flare-ups on my hands and feet.
Dry skin? I hardly know her.
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